This Wild Mustang Is Half Dark Horse, Half GTD, and Costs Twice What You’d Anticipate | Carscoops

      A UK tuning company has transformed a muscle car into a 788 hp beast wrapped in Alcantara and made with a carbon body, set to debut soon.

      Clive Sutton’s CS800DH Mustang is equipped with a 3.0L Whipple supercharger that delivers 788 hp.

      Drawing inspiration from the GTD, it features carbon fiber hood vents, a diffuser, and a fixed rear wing.

      In the UK, prices range from £135,000 to £165,000, with its launch slated for Salon Prive.

      While the name Clive Sutton may not be familiar to US readers, it holds significant recognition in the UK. The company is renowned as a premier performance car specialist, well-versed in high-end exotics and tuned muscle cars, particularly with a long-standing association with the Ford Mustang.

      Their newest endeavor elevates that partnership with the introduction of the CS800DH Mustang, an extensively modified version of Ford’s seventh-generation pony car.

      Under the hood, the vehicle presents serious enhancements. Based on the Mustang Dark Horse, the CS800DH now features a 5.0-liter V8 paired with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, increasing power from the UK-spec 447 hp to an impressive 788 hp at 6,700 rpm and 642 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.

      Sutton has gone beyond just engine improvements, incorporating a Borla exhaust system with a custom H-pipe and a lowered suspension setup, complemented by bespoke Vossen wheels to complete the performance package.

      Equally striking are the visual and aerodynamic modifications. Prominently displayed is an exposed carbon fiber hood with two large air vents designed to help vent hot air from the engine bay.

      Sutton has also designed carbon fiber air vents on the front fenders, similar to those found on a Mustang GTD. Additional features include a custom carbon fiber diffuser and a larger fixed rear wing, both crafted from carbon.

      While the interior of the current Ford Mustang is decent, it lacks a distinctive touch. Clive Sutton has upgraded this by reupholstering the headliner, seats, dashboard, and door panels in vibrant blue Alcantara, imparting a level of luxury that regular Mustangs lack. While the blue may not appeal to everyone, there's no denying the appeal of soft-touch materials.

      Big Money, Bigger Questions

      The CS800DH is set for its public unveiling at Salon Privé later this August. However, whether it justifies its hefty price tag is open to discussion. With prices ranging from £135,000 (approximately $178,000) to £165,000 (around $216,000), it firmly enters a price range typically associated with elite sports cars.

      For that investment, buyers could consider a lightly used McLaren or Porsche 911 GT3, both known for their proven track performance and refinement. The CS800DH certainly boasts a strong presence and power, yet at this price point, it faces competition not only from other Mustangs but also from a significantly tougher market segment.